Gen Z Holiday Trend, Prefers To Go To A Quiet Destination

Illustration of tourist destinations that are still quiet (Between)

JAKARTA - Holiday trends for the millennial generation and Gen Z are currently increasingly leading to exploration of destinations that are rarely visited or hidden.

This young generation has shown great interest in unique and authentic experiences, far from crowds of popular tourist attractions.

According to a report from the Hindustan Times, Rikant Pittie, Co-Founder of Ease MyTrip, explained that this phenomenon was triggered by the desire of travelers to gain a deeper and connected experience with local culture, nature, and the local community.

Young tourists are increasingly interested in tourism options that have a positive impact, both socially and environmentally, as reflected in the increasing interest in sustainable tourism.

The choice of environmentally friendly accommodation, low-impact activities, and support for the local economy are prioritized by many travelers.

This trend can also be seen from the increasing popularity of countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Georgia, the Philippines, and Malaysia among Gen Z and millennials. Vinay Bagri, CEO and Co-Founder of Niyo, revealed that these non-mainstream destinations are increasingly in demand and experiencing an increase in spending from the 18-24 year age group to 20 percent.

In addition, travel preferences are also influenced by the season; Southeast Asian countries are more crowded with winter and spring, while Europe and Central Asia are more in demand in the summer and fall.

Bagri also highlighted that millennials still tend to visit traditional destinations more often, while Gen Z chooses to allocate their budget to unusual places and offers a unique experience.

Technological developments also play an important role in this change. Pittie explained that the sophistication of AI-based travel planning tools, personalized recommendations, and previews through virtual reality make it easier for tourists to find and plan trips to less-known destinations.

The need for ease of connectivity also encourages innovation on apps and travel platforms, making it easier to access local services, destination information, and more comfortable navigation.

Interest in hobby-based tourism and special activities also continues to grow. According to Pittie, this trend prompted many travelers to design their journey based on personal interests, ranging from culinary, art, adventure sports, to health.

This approach not only enriches their experience, but also opens up opportunities to explore more specific destinations. For convenience, travelers are now also considering affordable travel insurance as additional protection while abroad.

This trend shows that the younger generation is increasingly aware of the social and environmental impacts of their journey, while looking for authentic experiences and utilizing technology for smarter and more memorable exploration.